Sunday, January 4, 2009

William with Christmas Lights


IMG_8274copy2.jpg, originally uploaded by conradzone.

Yes his has his Christmas stocking on up to his waist.

William and everybody else had a head cold over the Christmas break. William went from eating solids every day 1-3 times a day, to completely rejecting solids. The drainage down his throat was just too much for him, he would gag at every bite, so instead of having a bad experience, we stopped solids all together. He was eating 3-4 bottles a day while he was sick and on the worst day he at one in the morning, nothing till late in the evening, then he drank 8 oz and an hour later another 8 oz. His weight was 2lbs higher than October right before he got sick.

Just the last 3 days he's started eating solids again and taking mostly the same amount of milk.

In talking with his therapist his outlook for the future. His PT believes he'll be much stabler sitting up by his birthday in just a few months. He'll still have some trouble, but he's improving. Also they believe he will find a way as he understands more to get to toys and things he wants. Also, the therapist have told us that it's good to find others that can feed him, because later it will become a trust thing who he lets feed him, so it's good to have a number of people feed him now. This includes therapists, babysitters, and grandparents.

I hope to update the progress video again soon. I've been bad at updating it.

3 comments:

Unknown said...

How cute that he is wearing his Christmas stocking. Really good picture. Glad to hear William is back on solids again, hope he didn't loose all his 2 lbs while he was sick.

Meg said...

I love this picture of my little friend. I am sorry that everyone got sick, but I am glad that his eating habits are returning to normal.

Miranda said...

About feeding William, while you were in the tub today, Dawn was able to feed him a little bit, and he seemed quite content to take it from her :D
I left the lettuce that you gave me, and the peas I brought to go in the soup! And the bag of diapers, too! I'll try to find your phone number and maybe come by and get them tomorrow. Jack and I had a blast today, he's been SO good all the rest of this day which tells me he really had fun at your house.

Mother of a "Special" Child

When I was young, I'd often say,
I'd like to be a mom someday
While playing with my baby doll,
I thought that job's not hard at all

I'd have a baby, maybe two,
a girl in pink...a boy in blue
Well I grew up and sure enough,
I'm now a mom and gosh it's tough

The baby that was sent to me,
was born with disabilities
At first I'm frightened through and through,
there's much to learn to care for you

This wasn't in my plans at all,
when I was young and played with dolls
Your mind and body were so weak,
you might not ever walk or speak

So much special care required,
I'm often scared and often tired
As months and years go slowly by,
I smile a lot but sometimes cry

To watch you grow and not complain,
though you endure your share of pain
Oh, how I'd hold you and I'd pray,
that you'd be healed and whole someday

But I knew that was not to be,
not physically or mentally
And so I taught you best I could,
your progress wasn't very good

But then one day I realized,
as I gazed into your loving eyes
That I had learned so much from you,
determination...courage too

A love so unconditional,
it floods my soul and always will
I'm proud to say I gave you birth,
for you're an angel here on earth.

God Choose a mother for a "Special" child

Most women becaome mothers by accident, some by choice, a few by social pressure and a couple by habit.

This year nearly 100,000 women will become mothers of handicapped children. Did you ever wonder how mothers of handicapped children are chosen?

Somehow I visualize God hovering over earth selecting his instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As He observes, He instructs His angels to make notes in a giant ledger.

"Armstrong, Beth; son. Patron saint...give her Gerard. He's used to profanity."

"Forrest, Marjotie; daughter. Patron saint, Cecelia."

"Rutledge, Carrie; twins. Patron saint, Matthew."

Finally He passes a name to an angel and smiles, "Give her a handicapped child."

The angel is curious. "Why this one God? She's so happy."

"Exactly," smiles God, "Could I give a handicapped child to a mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel."

"But she has patience?" asked the angel.

"I don't want her to have to much patience or she will drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wears off, she'll handle it."

"I watched her today. She has that feeling of self and independence that is so rare and so necessary in a mother. You see, the child I'm going to give her has his own world. She has to make her live in her world and that's not going to be easy."

"But, Lord, I don't think she even believes in you." God smiles, "No matter, I can fix that. This one is perfect - she has just enough selfishness." The angel gasps - "selfishness? is that a virtue?"

God nods. "If she can't separate herself from the child occasionally, she'll never survive. Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less perfect. She doesn't realize it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never take for granted a 'spoken word'. She will never consider a 'step' ordinary. When her child says 'Momma' for the first time, she will be present at a miracle, and will know it!"

"I will permit her to see clearly the things I see...ignorance, cruelty, prejudice....and allow her to rise above them. She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life, because she is doing My work as surely as if she is here by My side".

And what about her Patron saint? asked the angel, his pen poised in mid-air.

God smiles, "A mirror will suffice."